Chip-scale package light emitting diode

ABSTRACT

A chip-scale package type light emitting diode includes: a first conductivity type semiconductor layer, a mesa, a second conductivity type semiconductor layer, a transparent conductive oxide layer, a dielectric layer, a lower insulation layer, a first pad metal layer, and a second pad metal layer, an upper insulation layer. The upper insulation layer covers the first pad metal layer and the second pad metal layer, and includes a first opening exposing the first pad metal layer and a second opening exposing the second pad metal layer, in which the openings of the dielectric layer include a narrow and elongated bar-shaped opening adjacent to at least one of the first openings of the lower insulation layer.

CROSS-REFERENCE OF RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of PCT Application No. PCT/KR2018/015628, filed on Dec. 10, 2018, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of Korean Patent Application Nos. 10-2017-0178222, filed on Dec. 22, 2017 and 10-2018-0156201, filed on Dec. 6, 2018. The disclosure of the PCT Application No. PCT/KR2018/015628 and Korean Patent Application Nos. 10-2017-0178222 and 10-2018-0156201 are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a light emitting diode, more specifically to a chip-scale package type light emitting diode.

BACKGROUND

In general, with good thermal stability and a direct transition type energy band structure, Group III-based nitrides, such as gallium nitride (GaN), aluminum nitride (AlN), and the like, have been in the spotlight as materials for light sources in the visible range and the ultraviolet range. In particular, blue and green light emitting diodes using indium gallium nitride are used in various fields that include large full color flat panel displays, signal lamps, interior lighting, high density light sources, high resolution output systems, optical communication, and the like.

In recent years, research on a chip-scale package type light emitting diode, in particular, a packaging process performed at a chip level, has been underway. Since these light emitting diodes are smaller in size than standard packages and do not require a separate packaging process, manufacturing processes can further be simplified, and time and cost can be saved.

The chip-scale package type light emitting diode has a flip-chip shape electrode structure in general, and an ohmic reflection layer is used to emit light toward a substrate. Since the flip chip shape electrode structure is included, it is possible to provide a light emitting diode having excellent luminous efficiency and heat dissipation characteristics. However, the light emitting diode may be defective because solder may diffuse into the light emitting diode and contaminate an ohmic reflection layer.

Accordingly, there is a need to provide a reliable light emitting diode while simplifying the structure of the light emitting diode.

It is preferable that the chip-scale package type light emitting diode has strong resistance to electrical overstress or electrostatic discharge because a separate protection device against electrical overstress or electrostatic discharge may not be available.

SUMMARY

Exemplary embodiments provide a light emitting diode that may effectively prevent diffusion of a bonding material such as solder, thereby improving reliability of the light emitting diode. Exemplary embodiments also provide a chip-scale package light emitting diode that has a reflective structure having high reflectance. Exemplary embodiments further provide a chip-scale package light emitting diode that is resistant to electrical overstress or electrostatic discharge.

A light emitting diode according to an exemplary embodiment includes: a first conductivity type semiconductor layer; a mesa, a second conductivity type semiconductor layer, a transparent conductive oxide layer, and a dielectric layer. The mesa is disposed on the first conductivity type semiconductor layer and includes an active layer and a second conductivity type semiconductor layer. The transparent conductive oxide layer is disposed on the mesa and electrically connected to the second conductivity type semiconductor layer. The dielectric layer covers the conductive oxide layer, and includes a plurality of openings exposing the conductive oxide layer.

The light emitting diode further includes a metal reflection layer, a lower insulating layer, a first pad metal layer, a second pad metal layer, and an upper insulation layer. The metal reflection layer is disposed on the dielectric layer, and connecting to the conductive oxide layer through the openings of the dielectric layer. The lower insulation layer covers the mesa and the metal reflection layer, and includes at least one first opening exposing the first conductivity type semiconductor layer and a second opening exposing the metal reflection layer. The first pad metal layer is disposed on the lower insulation layer, and electrically connected to the first conductivity type semiconductor layer through the at least one first opening. The second pad metal layer is disposed on the lower insulation layer, and electrically connected to the metal reflection layer through the second opening. The upper insulation layer covers the first pad metal layer and the second pad metal layer, and includes a first opening exposing the first pad metal layer and a second opening exposing the second pad metal layer. The openings of the dielectric layer include a narrow and elongated bar-shaped opening adjacent to at least one of the first openings of the lower insulation layer.

A light emitting diode according to another exemplary embodiment includes: a first conductivity type semiconductor layer; a mesa, a second conductivity type semiconductor layer, a transparent conductive oxide layer, a dielectric layer, a lower insulation layer, and a metal reflection layer. The mesa is disposed on the first conductivity type semiconductor layer, and including an active layer and a second conductivity type semiconductor layer. The transparent conductive oxide layer is disposed on the mesa and electrically connected to the second conductivity type semiconductor layer. The dielectric layer covers the conductive oxide layer, and includes a plurality of openings exposing the conductive oxide layer. The metal reflection layer is disposed on the dielectric layer, and connected to the conductive oxide layer through the openings of the dielectric layer. The lower insulation layer covers the mesa and the metal reflection layer, and includes at least one first opening exposing the first conductivity type semiconductor layer and a second opening exposing the metal reflection layer.

The light emitting diode further includes a first pad metal layer, a second pad metal layer, and an upper insulation layer. The first pad metal layer is disposed on the lower insulation layer, and electrically connected to the first conductivity type semiconductor layer through the at least one first opening. The second pad metal layer is disposed on the lower insulation layer, and electrically connected to the metal reflection layer through the second opening. The upper insulation layer covers the first pad metal layer and the second pad metal layer, and including a first opening exposing the first pad metal layer and a second opening exposing the second pad metal layer. The openings of the dielectric layer include openings that have different sizes from one another, and at least one of the openings in the dielectric layer adjacent to the first opening of the upper insulation layer has a width or a length greater than at least one another opening of the dielectric layer that is disposed farther from the first opening of the upper insulation layer.

Alight emitting diode according to further another exemplary embodiment includes: a first conductivity type semiconductor layer; a mesa disposed on the first conductivity type semiconductor layer, and including an active layer and a second conductivity type semiconductor layer; a transparent conductive oxide layer disposed on the mesa and electrically connected to the second conductivity type semiconductor layer. The light emitting diode further include a dielectric layer, a metal reflection layer, a lower insulation layer, a first pad metal layer, a second pad metal layer, an upper insulation layer. The dielectric layer covers the conductive oxide layer, and including a plurality of openings exposing the conductive oxide layer. The metal reflection layer is disposed on the dielectric layer, and connecting to the conductive oxide layer through the openings of the dielectric layer. The lower insulation layer covers the mesa and the metal reflection layer, and including at least one first opening exposing the first conductivity type semiconductor layer and a second opening exposing the metal reflection layer. The first pad metal layer is disposed on the lower insulation layer, and electrically connected to the first conductivity type semiconductor layer through the at least one first opening. The second pad metal layer is disposed on the lower insulation layer, and electrically connected to the metal reflection layer through the second opening. The upper insulation layer covers the first pad metal layer and the second pad metal layer, and including a first opening exposing the first pad metal layer and a second opening exposing the second pad metal layer. The openings of the dielectric layer include openings disposed under the first opening of the upper insulation layer, and, among the openings disposed under the first opening of the upper insulation layer and adjacent to the first opening of the lower insulation layer, a distance of an opening spaced apart from the first opening in the vertical direction is greater than a distance of an opening of the dielectric layer closest to the first opening.

According to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, a reflection structure of a conductive oxide layer, a dielectric layer, and a metal reflection layer is used instead of a conventional ohmic reflection layer. As such, it is possible to prevent a bonding material such as solder from diffusing into a contact region, and to provide a stable ohmic contact resistance, thereby improving the reliability of a light emitting diode. Moreover, high light output and low forward voltage may be achieved by adjusting a thickness of the dielectric layer.

According to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a light emitting diode that is resistant to electrical overstress or electrostatic discharge by controlling a location, a size, or a shape of openings formed in the dielectric layer.

Other advantages and effects of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view illustrating a light emitting diode according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a graph schematically showing a doping profile of a p-type impurity in a second conductivity type semiconductor layer.

FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are graphs showing forward voltage and light output according to thicknesses of a dielectric layer, respectively.

FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view illustrating a light emitting diode according to another exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view illustrating a light emitting diode according to another exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view illustrating a light emitting diode according to another exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view illustrating a light emitting diode according to another exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view illustrating a light emitting diode according to another exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view illustrating a light emitting diode according to another exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a schematic plan view illustrating a light emitting diode according to another exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a schematic plan view illustrating a light emitting diode according to another exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a schematic plan view illustrating a light emitting diode according to another exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a schematic plan view illustrating a light emitting diode according to another exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a lighting apparatus to which a light emitting diode according to an exemplary embodiment is applied.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display apparatus to which a light emitting diode according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is applied.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display apparatus to which a light emitting diode according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is applied.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a head light to which a light emitting diode according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is applied.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments are provided by way of example so as to fully convey the spirit of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains. Accordingly, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein and can also be implemented in different forms. In the drawings, widths, lengths, thicknesses, and the like of elements can be exaggerated for clarity and descriptive purposes. When an element is referred to as being “disposed above” or “disposed on” another element, it can be directly “disposed above” or “disposed on” the other element, or intervening elements can be present. Throughout the specification, like reference numerals denote like elements having the same or similar functions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A light emitting diode according to an exemplary embodiment includes: (i) a first conductivity type semiconductor layer; (ii) a mesa disposed on the first conductivity type semiconductor layer, and including an active layer and a second conductivity type semiconductor layer; (iii) a transparent conductive oxide layer disposed on the mesa and electrically connected to the second conductivity type semiconductor layer; (iv) a dielectric layer covering the conductive oxide layer, and including a plurality of openings exposing the conductive oxide layer, the dielectric layer having a lower refractive index than those of the second conductivity type semiconductor layer and the conductive oxide layer; (v) a metal reflection layer disposed on the dielectric layer, and connecting to the conductive oxide layer through the openings of the dielectric layer; (vi) a lower insulation layer covering the mesa and the metal reflection layer, and including a first opening exposing the first conductivity type semiconductor layer and a second opening exposing the metal reflection layer; (vii) a first pad metal layer disposed on the lower insulation layer, and electrically connected to the first conductivity type semiconductor layer through the first opening; (viii) a second pad metal layer disposed on the lower insulation layer, and electrically connected to the metal reflection layer through the second opening; and (ix) an upper insulation layer covering the first pad metal layer and the second pad metal layer, and including a first opening exposing the first pad metal layer and a second opening exposing the second pad metal layer, in which the dielectric layer has a thickness in a range of about 4 to about 13 times greater than that of the second conductivity type semiconductor layer.

In some embodiments, the dielectric layer may have a thickness in a range of about 200 nm to about 1000 nm, and specifically, may have a thickness in a range of about 300 nm to about 800 nm. High light output and low forward voltage may be achieved within the thickness range.

In some embodiments, the conductive oxide layer may have a thickness within a range of about 3 nm to about 50 nm, and specifically, may have a thickness in a range of about 6 nm to about 30 nm. Favorable ohmic contact resistance may be obtained within the thickness range, and light loss due to light absorption may be reduced.

The dielectric layer may cover side surfaces of the mesa, and partially cover the first conductivity type semiconductor layer around the mesa.

The lower insulation layer may cover an edge of the dielectric layer.

The first opening of the lower insulation layer may expose the first conductivity type semiconductor layer along a periphery of the mesa, and the first pad metal layer may have an outer contact portion that contacts the first conductivity type semiconductor layer along the periphery of the mesa. The first pad metal layer contacts the first conductivity type semiconductor layer along the periphery of the mesa, so that current spreading capability of the light emitting diode may be improved.

The mesa may include an indent portion that exposes the first conductivity type semiconductor layer, and the first opening of the lower insulation layer may further expose the first conductivity type semiconductor layer in the indent portion. Furthermore, the first pad metal layer may further include an inner contact portion that contacts the first conductivity type semiconductor layer in the indent portion. Since the first pad metal layer contacts the first conductivity type semiconductor layer at the periphery of the mesa and inside the mesa, current spreading capability of the light emitting diode may be further enhanced.

Furthermore, the inner contact portion may be connected to the outer contact portion, but the inventive concepts are not limited thereto, the inner contact portion and the outer contact portion may be separated from each other.

In some exemplary embodiments, the mesa may have a via hole exposing the first conductivity type semiconductor layer through the second conductivity type semiconductor layer and the active layer, in which the first opening of the lower insulation layer may expose the first conductivity type semiconductor layer exposed in the via hole, and the first pad metal layer may have an inner contact portion that contacts the first conductivity type semiconductor layer exposed in the via hole.

The first pad metal layer may include outer contact portions that contact the first conductivity type semiconductor layer at the outside of the mesa, in which the outer contact portions may be spaced apart from one another.

The light emitting diode may further include: a first bump pad connected to the first pad metal layer through the first opening of the upper insulation layer; and a second bump pad connected to the second pad metal layer through the second opening of the upper insulation layer. The first and second bump pads may be used as bonding pads when the light emitting diode is mounted on a circuit board or the like to manufacture a light emitting module.

The lower insulation layer may include a plurality of second openings, and the second bump pad may cover an upper portion of at least one second opening of the lower insulation layer.

A location and a shape of the first bump pad may be variously modified as long as the first bump pad is insulated from the second pad metal layer, and a location and a shape of the second bump pad may also be variously modified as long as the second bump pad is insulated from the first pad metal layer,

The second pad metal layer may be surrounded by the first pad metal layer. As such, a boundary region in which the lower insulation layer is exposed may be formed between the first pad metal layer and the second pad metal layer. The boundary region may be covered by the upper insulation layer.

In some exemplary embodiments, the second bump pad may be disposed within an upper region of the second pad metal layer, but the inventive concepts are not limited thereto, the second bump pad may partially overlap with the first pad metal layer.

The light emitting diode may further include a substrate disposed on a side of the first conductivity type semiconductor layer. The substrate is configured to transmit light generated in the active layer.

A light emitting diode according to another exemplary embodiment includes: (i) a first conductivity type semiconductor layer; (ii) a mesa disposed on the first conductivity type semiconductor layer, and including an active layer and a second conductivity type semiconductor layer; (iii) a transparent conductive oxide layer disposed on the mesa and electrically connected to the second conductivity type semiconductor layer; (iv) a dielectric layer covering the conductive oxide layer, and including a plurality of openings exposing the conductive oxide layer, the dielectric layer having a lower refractive index than those of the second conductivity type semiconductor layer and the conductive oxide layer; (v) a metal reflection layer disposed on the dielectric layer, and connecting to the conductive oxide layer through the openings of the dielectric layer, in which the dielectric layer has a lower refractive index than those of the conductive oxide layer and the second conductivity type semiconductor layer, and has a thickness in a range of about 300 nm to about 800 nm.

A thickness of the dielectric layer may be in a range of 4 times or greater than to 13 times or less than a thickness of the second conductivity type semiconductor layer.

The conductive oxide layer may be an indium tin oxide (ITO) layer, and the ITO layer may have a thickness in a range of about 6 nm to about 30 nm.

In some embodiments, the light emitting diode may further include: a substrate disposed on a side of the first conductivity type semiconductor layer; a first bump pad disposed over the metal reflection layer, and electrically connected to the first conductivity type semiconductor layer; and a second bump pad disposed over the metal reflection layer, and electrically connected to the metal reflection layer.

A light emitting diode according to another exemplary embodiment includes: (i) a first conductivity type semiconductor layer; (ii) a mesa disposed on the first conductivity type semiconductor layer, and including an active layer and a second conductivity type semiconductor layer; (iii) a transparent conductive oxide layer disposed on the mesa and electrically connected to the second conductivity type semiconductor layer; (iv) a dielectric layer covering the conductive oxide layer, and including a plurality of openings exposing the conductive oxide layer; (v) a metal reflection layer disposed on the dielectric layer, and connecting to the conductive oxide layer through the openings of the dielectric layer; (vi) a lower insulation layer covering the mesa and the metal reflection layer, and including at least one first opening exposing the first conductivity type semiconductor layer and a second opening exposing the metal reflection layer; (vii) a first pad metal layer disposed on the lower insulation layer, and electrically connected to the first conductivity type semiconductor layer through the at least one first opening; (viii) a second pad metal layer disposed on the lower insulation layer, and electrically connected to the metal reflection layer through the second opening; and (ix) an upper insulation layer covering the first pad metal layer and the second pad metal layer, and including a first opening exposing the first pad metal layer and a second opening exposing the second pad metal layer, in which the openings of the dielectric layer include a narrow and elongated bar-shaped opening adjacent to at least one of the first openings of the lower insulation layer.

The bar-shaped opening is arranged to be adjacent to the first opening of the lower insulation layer, and thus, it is possible to prevent the light emitting diode from being damaged by electrical overstress or electrostatic discharge.

The dielectric layer may include openings having other shapes in addition to the bar-shaped opening, and the bar-shaped opening may be disposed between the first opening of the lower insulation layer corresponding to the bar-shaped opening and the openings having other shapes.

The first opening of the lower insulation layer corresponding to the bar-shaped opening may have an elongated shape in one direction, and the bar-shaped opening of the dielectric layer may be disposed to be flush with the first opening of the lower insulation layer corresponding to the bar-shaped opening.

The bar-shaped opening of the dielectric layer may be longer than the first opening of the lower insulation layer corresponding to the bar-shaped opening. As such, it is possible to provide a light emitting diode that is more resistant to electrical overstress and electrostatic discharge than a conventional light emitting diode.

The lower insulation layer may have a plurality of first openings exposing the first conductivity type semiconductor layer around the mesa, and the first pad metal layer may have outer contact portions in contact with the first conductivity type semiconductor layer in the plurality of first openings.

The dielectric layer may have a plurality of bar-shaped openings adjacent to the plurality of first openings, respectively.

The bar-shaped opening of the dielectric layer may be arranged lengthily over the outer contact portions.

The light emitting diode may further include a first bump pad; and a second bump pad, in which the first bump pad and the second bump pad may be electrically connected to the first pad metal layer and the second pad metal layer through the first opening and the second opening of the upper insulation layer, respectively, and at least a portion of the bar-shaped opening may be disposed under the first bump pad.

A portion of the bar-shaped opening may be disposed under the second bump pad.

The light emitting diode may further include a substrate disposed on a side of the first conductivity type semiconductor layer, in which the substrate is configured to transmit light generated in the active layer.

The first pad metal layer may have protrusions along one edge of the mesa M, in which the first pad metal layer may have outer contact portions in contact with the first conductivity type semiconductor layer near an edge of the mesa, the outer contact portions may be formed by the protrusions, and a region between the protrusions of edges of the first pad metal layer may be disposed on the conductive oxide layer.

A light emitting diode according to another exemplary embodiment includes: (i) a first conductivity type semiconductor layer; (ii) a mesa disposed on the first conductivity type semiconductor layer, and including an active layer and a second conductivity type semiconductor layer; (iii) a transparent conductive oxide layer disposed on the mesa and electrically connected to the second conductivity type semiconductor layer; (iv) a dielectric layer covering the conductive oxide layer, and including a plurality of openings exposing the conductive oxide layer; (v) a metal reflection layer disposed on the dielectric layer, and connecting to the conductive oxide layer through the openings of the dielectric layer; (vi) a lower insulation layer covering the mesa and the metal reflection layer, and including at least one first opening exposing the first conductivity type semiconductor layer and a second opening exposing the metal reflection layer; (vii) a first pad metal layer disposed on the lower insulation layer, and electrically connected to the first conductivity type semiconductor layer through the at least one first opening; (viii) a second pad metal layer disposed on the lower insulation layer, and electrically connected to the metal reflection layer through the second opening; and (ix) an upper insulation layer covering the first pad metal layer and the second pad metal layer, and including a first opening exposing the first pad metal layer and a second opening exposing the second pad metal layer, in which the openings of the dielectric layer include openings that have different sizes from one another, and at least one of the openings in the dielectric layer adjacent to the first opening of the upper insulation layer has a width or a length greater than at least one another opening of the dielectric layer that is disposed farther from the first opening of the upper insulation layer.

Since the opening of the dielectric layer adjacent to the region where the first opening of the upper insulation layer, that is, the first pad metal layer contacts the first conductive semiconductor layer is set to be larger than the remaining openings of the dielectric layer, a light emitting diode having strong resistance to electrical overstress or electrostatic discharge may be provided.

In some exemplary embodiments, the opening of the dielectric layer having a greater width or length may have a bar shape. In other exemplary embodiments, the opening of the dielectric layer may have a circular or ring shape.

The light emitting diode may further include: a first bump pad; and a second bump pad, in which the first bump pad and the second bump pad may be electrically connected to the first pad metal layer and the second pad metal layer through the first opening and the second opening of the upper insulation layer, respectively, and at least a portion of the opening of the dielectric layer having a greater width or length may be disposed under the first bump pad.

At least one of the openings of the dielectric layer having a greater width or length may extend from a bottom of the first bump pad to a bottom of the second bump pad.

The mesa may have a via hole that exposes the first conductivity type semiconductor layer, in which the first openings of the lower insulation layer may include an opening that exposes the first conductivity type semiconductor layer in the via hole, the first pad metal layer may include an inner contact portion that contacts the first conductivity type semiconductor layer in the via hole, and the opening of the dielectric layer having a greater width or length may be disposed adjacent to the via hole.

The opening of the dielectric layer disposed adjacent to the via hole may surround the via hole.

The first pad metal layer may include outer contact portions that contact the first conductivity type semiconductor layer at the outside of the mesa, in which the outer contact portions may be spaced apart from one another, and the openings of the dielectric layer having a greater width or length may be disposed adjacent to the outer contact portions, respectively.

The dielectric layer may have a lower refractive index than those of the second conductivity type semiconductor layer and the conductive oxide layer, and may have a thickness in a range of about 300 nm to about 800 nm. The conductive oxide layer may also have a thickness in a range of about 3 nm to about 50 nm.

The light emitting diode may further include a substrate disposed on a side of the first conductivity type semiconductor layer, in which the substrate may be configured to transmit light generated in the active layer.

A light emitting diode according to another exemplary embodiment includes: (i) a first conductivity type semiconductor layer; (ii) a mesa disposed on the first conductivity type semiconductor layer, and including an active layer and a second conductivity type semiconductor layer; (iii) a transparent conductive oxide layer disposed on the mesa and electrically connected to the second conductivity type semiconductor layer; (iv) a dielectric layer covering the conductive oxide layer, and including a plurality of openings exposing the conductive oxide layer; (v) a metal reflection layer disposed on the dielectric layer, and connecting to the conductive oxide layer through the openings of the dielectric layer; (vi) a lower insulation layer covering the mesa and the metal reflection layer, and including at least one first opening exposing the first conductivity type semiconductor layer and a second opening exposing the metal reflection layer; (vii) a first pad metal layer disposed on the lower insulation layer, and electrically connected to the first conductivity type semiconductor layer through the at least one first opening; (viii) a second pad metal layer disposed on the lower insulation layer, and electrically connected to the metal reflection layer through the second opening; and (ix) an upper insulation layer covering the first pad metal layer and the second pad metal layer, and including a first opening exposing the first pad metal layer and a second opening exposing the second pad metal layer, in which the openings of the dielectric layer include openings disposed under the first opening of the upper insulation layer, and, among the openings disposed under the first opening of the upper insulation layer and adjacent to the first opening of the lower insulation layer, a distance of an opening spaced apart from the first opening in the vertical direction is greater than a distance of an opening of the dielectric layer closest to the first opening.

The light emitting diode having improved resistance to electrical overstress or electrostatic discharge may be provided by adjusting the distance between the contact portion where the first pad metal layer contacts the first conductivity type semiconductor layer and the openings of the dielectric layer adjacent thereto.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view illustrating a light emitting diode according to an exemplary embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the light emitting diode includes a substrate 21, a first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23, an active layer 25, a second conductivity type semiconductor layer 27, a conductive oxide layer 28, a dielectric layer 29, a metal reflection layer 31, a lower insulation layer 33, a first pad metal layer 35 a, a second pad metal layer 35 b, and an upper insulation layer 37. The light emitting diode may further include a first bump pad 39 a and a second bump pad 39 b.

The substrate 21 may be selected from any substrates that are suitable for growth of gallium nitride semiconductor layers thereon. The substrate 21 may include, for example, a sapphire substrate, a gallium nitride substrate, a SiC substrate, and the like, and may be a patterned sapphire substrate. The substrate 21 may have a rectangular or square shape, as shown in the plan view of FIG. 1, without being limited thereto. A size of the substrate 21 is not particularly limited and may be selected in various ways.

The first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23 is disposed on the substrate 21. The first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23 may be a gallium nitride semiconductor layer grown on the substrate 21 and doped with dopants, for example Si.

An edge of the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23 according to the exemplary embodiment is flush with an edge of the substrate 21, as shown in FIG. 2. However, the inventive concepts are not limited thereto, and the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23 may be located inside a region surrounded by the edge of the substrate 21. In this case, a portion of the upper surface of the substrate 21 may be exposed along a periphery of the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23.

A mesa M is disposed on the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23. The mesa M may be disposed within a region surrounded by the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23 so that regions near edges of the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23 are not covered by the mesa M, but exposed to the outside.

The mesa M includes the second conductivity type semiconductor layer 27 and the active layer 25. The active layer 25 is interposed between the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23 and the second conductivity type semiconductor layer 27. The active layer 25 may have a single quantum well structure or a multiple quantum well structure. A location and a thickness of the well layer in the active layer 25 determine a wavelength of light that is generated. In particular, by controlling the location of the well layer, it is possible to provide an active layer generating ultraviolet light, blue light or green light.

The second conductivity type semiconductor layer 27 may be a gallium nitride-based semiconductor layer doped with a p-type impurity, for example, Mg. A concentration of the p-type impurity of the second conductivity type semiconductor layer 27 affects a refractive index of the second conductivity type semiconductor layer 27. The concentration of the p-type impurity of the second conductivity type semiconductor layer 27 may be in a range of about 8×10⁻¹⁸ to about 4×10⁻²¹/cm³. When the concentration of the impurity is lower than 8×10⁻¹⁸/cm³, effect that increases the refractive index is not obtained. When the concentration of the impurity is higher than 4×10⁻²¹/cm³, it is difficult to form a stable ohmic contact.

The concentration of the p-type impurity of the second conductivity type semiconductor layer 27 may not have a constant value, but it may have a concentration profile that varies with thickness within the above range. In particular, it may have a higher impurity concentration on a side thereof closer to the conductive oxide layer 28 to have a higher refractive index on a surface of the second conductivity type semiconductor layer 27.

As such, a difference between the refractive index of the second conductivity type semiconductor layer 27 and that of the conductive oxide layer 28 may be increased by increasing the refractive index of the second conductivity type semiconductor layer 27. The difference in refractive indexes between the second conductivity type semiconductor layers 28 and the conductive oxide layer 28 is set to be substantially similar to the difference in refractive indexes between the conductive oxide layer 28 and the dielectric layer 29, and thus, light extraction may be effective.

FIG. 3 illustrates a concentration profile in the second conductivity type semiconductor layer 27. As shown in FIG. 3, a concentration of a p-type impurity of the second conductivity type semiconductor layer 27, for example, a concentration of Mg may include a section that has different gradients of concentration from each other. The concentration thereof may have a profile that the concentration decreases as a measurement point is closer to the active layer 25, and increases as the measurement point is closer to the conductive oxide layer 28. In particular, the concentration sharply increases as the measurement point approaches the conductive oxide layer 28, and it may have a gradient greater than an absolute value of gradient's decrease in concentration near the active layer 25. As such, a portion where the refractive index is sharply increased is in contact with the conductive oxide layer 28, and thus, light extraction effect may be maximized.

Each of the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23 and the second conductivity type semiconductor layer 27 may be composed of a single layer or multiple layers without limiting thereto, or may include super-lattice layers. The first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23, the active layer 25 and the second conductivity type semiconductor layer 27 may be grown on the substrate 21 in a chamber by a well-known method, such as metal organic chemical vapor delocation (MOCVD) or Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE).

As shown in FIG. 1, the mesa M may have an indent portion 30 penetrating therein, and an upper surface of the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23 may be exposed by the indent portion 30. The indent portion 30 may be extend from one edge of the mesa M toward the other side opposite to the mesa M. A length of the indent portion 30 is not particularly limited, but may be ½ of the length of the mesa M or longer than that. Also, although two indent portions 30 are shown in FIG. 1, the number of indent portion 30 may be one or three or more. Accordingly, as the number of indent portions 30 increases, the number of inner contact portions 35 a 2 of the first pad metal layer 35 a, which will be described later, increases, thereby improving current spreading capability.

The indent portion 30 has a round shape as a width becomes wider at an end terminal portion thereof. As the shape of the end terminal portion of the indent is formed as described above, the lower insulation layer 33 may be patterned in a similar shape. In particular, in a case that the lower insulation layer 33 includes a distributed Bragg reflector, if a width of the distributed Bragg reflector is not widened at the end terminal portion as shown in FIG. 1, a severe double step is formed in a side wall of the distributed Bragg reflector, and the pad metal layer 35 a is likely to be cracked as an inclination angle of the side wall becomes large. Accordingly, an edge of the lower insulation layer 33 may be formed to have a gentle inclination angle by forming the shape of the end terminal portion of the indent portion 30 and the shape of the end terminal portion of the first opening 33 a 2 of the lower insulation layer 33 as those in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, thereby improving yield of the light emitting diode.

Although the indent portion 30 is illustrated and described as being formed in the mesa M in the exemplary embodiment, the mesa M may have at least one via hole passing through the second conductivity type semiconductor layer 27 and the active layer 25 instead of the indent portion 30.

The conductive oxide layer 28 is disposed over the mesa M to contact the second conductivity type semiconductor layer 27. The conductive oxide layer 28 may be disposed over almost an entire region of the mesa M. For example, the conductive oxide layer 28 may cover 80% or more, and further more than 90% or more of the upper region of the mesa M.

The conductive oxide layer 28 includes an oxide layer that transmits light generated in the active layer 25. The conductive oxide layer 28 may include for example, indium tin oxide (ITO) or ZnO. The conductive oxide layer 28 is formed to have a thickness sufficient for ohmic contacting with the second conductivity type semiconductor layer 27, and, for example, the conductive oxide layer 28 may be formed to have a thickness in a range of about 3 nm to about 50 nm, specifically, in a range of about 6 nm to about 30 nm. When the thickness of the conductive oxide layer 28 is too thin, it does not provide sufficient ohmic properties, thereby increasing the forward voltage. When the thickness of the conductive oxide layer 28 is too thick, light loss due to light absorption occurs, thereby lowering luminous efficiency.

The dielectric layer 29 may cover the conductive oxide layer 28, and may further cover side surfaces of the second conductivity type semiconductor layer 27, the active layer 25, and the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23. An edge of the dielectric layer 29 may be covered with the lower insulation layer 33. Accordingly, the edge of the dielectric layer 29 is located farther from the edge of the substrate 21 than the edge of the lower insulation layer 33. However, the inventive concepts are not limited thereto, and a portion of the dielectric layer 29 may be exposed to the outside of the lower insulation layer 33.

The dielectric layer 29 has openings 29 a exposing the conductive oxide layer 28. A plurality of openings 29 a may be disposed over the conductive oxide layer 28. The openings 29 a are used as connection passages so that the metal reflection layer 31 may be connected to the conductive oxide layer 28. The dielectric layer 29 also exposes the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23 around the mesa M and exposes the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23 in the indent portion 30.

The dielectric layer 29 includes an insulating material that has a lower refractive index than those of the second conductivity type semiconductor layer 27 and the conductive oxide layer 28. The dielectric layer 29 may include SiO₂, for example.

A thickness of the dielectric layer 29 affects the forward voltage and light output of the light emitting diode. The dielectric layer 29 may have a thickness in a range of about 200 nm to about 1000 nm, and specifically, may have a thickness in a range of about 300 nm to about 800 nm. When the thickness of the dielectric layer 29 is less than 200 nm, the forward voltage is high and the light output is low, which is not favorable. When the thickness of the dielectric layer 29 is more than 400 nm, the light output is saturated, and the forward voltage tends to increase again. Thus, it is advantageous that the thickness of the dielectric layer 29 does not exceed 1000 nm, and, in particular, the thickness thereof may be about 800 nm or less. The thickness of the dielectric layer 29 may be about 4 times or greater than a thickness of the second conductivity type semiconductor layer 27 on the active layer 25, and may be about 13 times or less than that of the second conductivity type semiconductor layer 27.

The metal reflection layer 31 is disposed on the dielectric layer 29 and is connected to the ohmic contact layer 28 through the openings 29 a. The metal reflection layer 31 may include a reflective metal, and may include Ag or Ni/Ag, for example. The metal reflection layer 32 may further include a barrier layer to protect a reflective metal material layer, for example, Ni, and may also include an Au layer to prevent oxidation of the metal layer. A Ti layer may further be included under the Au layer to improve the adhesion of the Au layer. The metal reflection layer 31 is in contact with an upper surface of the dielectric layer 29, and thus, the thickness of the dielectric layer 29 is equal to a distance between the conductive oxide layer 28 and the metal reflection layer 31.

Since an ohmic contact is formed with the conductive oxide layer 28, and the metal reflection layer 31 is disposed on the dielectric layer 29, ohmic resistance may be prevented from being increased due to solder or the like. Furthermore, since the conductive oxide layer 28, the dielectric layer 29, and the metal reflection layer 31 are disposed on the second conductivity type semiconductor layer 27, reflectance of light may be improved, thereby improving luminous efficiency.

The lower insulation layer 33 covers the mesa M and the metal reflection layer 31. The lower insulation layer 33 may also cover the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23 along a periphery of the mesa M, and may cover the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23 in the indent portion 30 that is inside the mesa M. The lower insulation layer 33 covers side surfaces of the mesa M in particular. The lower insulation layer 33 may also cover the dielectric layer 29.

The lower insulation layer 33 has first and second openings 33 a 1 and 33 a 2 exposing the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23 and a second opening 33 b exposing the metal reflection layer 31. The first opening 33 a 1 exposes the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23 along the periphery of the mesa M, and the first opening 33 a 2 exposes the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23 in the indent portion 30. In a case that a via hole is formed instead of the indent portion 30, the first opening 33 a 2 exposes the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23 in the via hole.

As shown in FIG. 1, the first openings 33 a 1 and 33 a 2 may be connected to each other. However, the inventive concepts are not limited thereto, and in other embodiments, the first opening 33 a 1 and the first opening 33 a 2 may be separated from each other.

The first opening 33 a 1 of the lower insulation layer 33 is formed to expose all of the peripheral region including the edge of the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23 in the illustrated exemplary embodiment. However, the inventive concepts are not limited thereto, and the first opening 33 a 1 of the lower insulation layer 33 may be formed to have a band shape along the periphery of the mesa M. In this case, the edge of the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23 may be covered with the lower insulation layer 33 or may be flush with the edge of the lower insulation layer 33.

The second opening 33 b exposes the metal reflection layer 31. A plurality of second openings 33 b may be formed, and the second openings 33 b may be disposed near one edge of the substrate 21 so as to face the indent portion 30. Locations of the second openings 33 b will be described later.

The lower insulation layer 33 may include a single layer of SiO₂ or Si₃N₄, without being limited thereto. For example, the lower insulation layer 33 may have a multilayer structure which includes a silicon nitride layer and a silicon oxide layer, and may include a distributed Bragg reflector in which silicon oxide layers and titanium oxide layers are alternately stacked one above another.

The first pad metal layer 35 a is disposed on the lower insulation layer 33 and is insulated from the mesa M and the metal reflection layer 31 by the lower insulation layer 33. The first pad metal layer 35 a contacts the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23 through the first openings 33 a 1 and 33 a 2 of the lower insulation layer 33, as shown in FIG. 2. The first pad metal layer 35 a may include an outer contact portion 35 a 1 that contacts the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23 along the periphery of the mesa M and an inner contact portion 35 a 2 that contacts the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23 in the indent portion 30 or the via hole. The outer contact portion 35 a 1 contacts the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23 near the edge of the substrate 21 along the periphery of the mesa M, and the inner contact portion 35 a 2 contacts the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23 in a region surrounded by the outer contact portion 35 a 1. The outer contact portion 35 a 1 and the inner contact portion 35 a 2 may be connected to each other, but the inventive concepts are not limited thereto, and they may be separated from each other. In addition, the outer contact portion 35 a 1 may continuously contact the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23 along the periphery of the mesa M, but it is not limited thereto, and a plurality of outer contact portions 35 a 1 may be disposed to be spaced apart from one another.

The second pad metal layer 35 b is disposed on the upper region of the mesa M on the lower insulation layer 33, and is electrically connected to the metal reflection layer 31 through the second opening 33 b of the lower insulation layer 33. The second pad metal layer 35 b may be surrounded by the first pad metal layer 35 a, and a boundary region 35 ab may be formed therebetween. The lower insulation layer 33 is exposed to the boundary region 35 ab, and the boundary region 35 ab is covered with the upper insulation layer 37, which will be described later.

The first pad metal layer 35 a and the second pad metal layer 35 b may be formed in the same process and may include substantially the same material. The first and second pad metal layers 35 a and 35 b may include an ohmic reflection layer such as an Al layer, and the ohmic reflection layer may be formed on an adhesive layer such as Ti, Cr, Ni, or the like. Furthermore, a protective layer of a single layer or a multiple layer structure such as Ni, Cr, Au, or the like may be formed on the ohmic reflection layer. The first and second pad metal layers 35 a and 35 b may have multilayer structures of Cr/Al/Ni/Ti/Ni/Ti/Au/Ti, for example.

The upper insulation layer 37 covers the first and second pad metal layers 35 a and 35 b. The upper insulation layer 37 may also cover the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23 along the periphery of the mesa M. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the upper insulation layer 37 may expose the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23 along the edge of the substrate 21. However, the inventive concepts are not limited thereto, and the upper insulation layer 37 may cover all of the first conductivity type semiconductor layers 23, and may be flush with the edge of the substrate 21.

The upper insulation layer 37 has a first opening 37 a exposing the first pad metal layer 35 a and a second opening 37 b exposing the second pad metal layer 35 b. The first opening 37 a and the second opening 37 b may be disposed in the upper region of the mesa M and may be arranged to face each other. In particular, the first opening 37 a and the second opening 37 b may be disposed close to both side edges of the mesa M.

The upper insulation layer 37 may include a single layer of SiO₂ or Si₃N₄, without being limited thereto. For example, the upper insulation layer 37 may have a multilayer structure which includes a silicon oxide layer and a silicon nitride layer, and may include a distributed Bragg reflector in which silicon oxide layers and titanium oxide layers are alternately stacked one above another.

The first bump pad 39 a electrically contacts the first pad metal layer 35 a exposed through the first opening 37 a of the upper insulation layer 37, and the second bump pad 39 b electrically contacts the second pad metal layer 35 b exposed through the second opening 37 b. As shown in FIG. 1, the first bump pad 39 a may be disposed in the first opening 37 a of the upper insulation layer 37, and the second bump pad 39 b may be disposed in the second opening 37 b of the upper insulation layer 37. However, the inventive concepts are not limited thereto, and the first bump pad 39 a and the second bump pad 39 b may cover all of the first opening 37 a and the second opening 37 b to seal them, respectively. In addition, the second bump pad 39 b may cover an upper region of the second opening 33 b of the lower insulation layer 33. The second bump pad 39 b may cover all of the second openings 33 b of the lower insulation layer 33, but the inventive concepts are not limited thereto, a portion of the openings 33 b may be disposed at the outside of the second bump pad 39 b.

The second bump pad 39 b may further be disposed within an upper region of the second pad metal layer 35 a as shown in FIG. 1, but the inventive concepts are not limited thereto, and a portion of the second bump pad 39 b may overlap with the first pad metal layer 35 a. However, the upper insulation layer 37 may be disposed between the first pad metal layer 35 a and the second bump pad 39 b to insulate them.

According to the exemplary embodiment, a reflective structure with the conductive oxide layer 28, the dielectric layer 29, and the metal reflection layer 31 is used instead of a conventional ohmic reflection layer. As such, it is possible to prevent a bonding material such as solder from diffusing into the contact region, and to obtain a stable ohmic contact resistance, thereby improving the reliability of the light emitting diode. Furthermore, since the thickness of the dielectric layer 29 is set to be about 300 nm or more, high light output and low forward voltage may be achieved.

FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are graphs showing forward voltage (Vf) and light output (Po) as a function of thicknesses of SiO₂ with a conductive oxide layer 28 as ITO and a dielectric layer 29 as SiO₂.

A thickness of ITO was 20 nm, and thicknesses of SiO₂ were changed to 200 nm, 400 nm, 600 nm, and 800 nm. A thickness of the second conductivity type semiconductor layer 27 was about 65 nm.

As shown in FIG. 4A, when the thickness of the dielectric layer 29 was 200 nm, the forward voltage was relatively high, and the lowest value exhibited when the thickness thereof was 400 nm. Also, as the thickness became greater than 400 nm, the forward voltage increased.

As shown in FIG. 4B, however, the lowest light output exhibited when the thickness of the dielectric layer 29 was 200 nm, and substantially similar light output exhibited when the thickness of the dielectric layer 29 was 400 nm or more.

FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view illustrating a light emitting diode according to another exemplary embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B of FIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, since the light emitting diode according to the exemplary embodiment is substantially similar to the light emitting diode described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, characteristic differences thereof will be mainly explained so as to avoid redundancy hereinafter.

First, in the previous exemplary embodiment, the edge of the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23 is flush with the edge of the substrate 21. An edge of a first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23 in this embodiment, however, is disposed in a region surrounded by the edge of the substrate 21. As such, a region near the edge of the substrate 21 is exposed to the outside of the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23.

In addition, locations of openings 29 a of the dielectric layer 29 are adjusted in the exemplary embodiment, which will be described in detail later.

In the previous exemplary embodiment, the edge of the lower insulation layer 33 is located on the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23, but, a lower insulation layer 33 in this exemplary embodiment covers the edge of the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23, and is flush with the edge of the substrate 21, as shown in FIG. 6. A first opening 33 a 1 of the lower insulation layer 33 is limitedly disposed on the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23, and is disposed in a ring shape along a periphery of mesa M.

Further, a second opening 33 b of the lower insulation layer 33 is formed at the outside of a second bump pad 39 b so as not to overlap with the second bump pad 39 b. Since the second opening 33 b are disposed to be spaced apart from the second bump pad 39 b in the lateral direction, it is possible to prevent solder from diffusing into the light emitting diode while soldering the second bump pad 39 b.

As shown in FIG. 6, a first pad metal layer 35 a covers the first opening 33 a 1 of the lower insulation layer 33 to contact the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23, and thus, an outer contact portion 35 a 1 is formed in the first opening 33 a 1. Referring back to FIG. 5, the outer contact portion 35 a 1 may be connected to an inner contact portion 35 a 2 or spaced apart from the inner contact portion 35 a 2, as described in the previous exemplary embodiment.

A shape of a second pad metal layer 35 b in the exemplary embodiment is different from that of the second pad metal layer 35 in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, and accordingly, a location of a boundary region between the second pad metal layer 35 b and the first pad metal layer 35 a is also different from that in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 5, the second pad metal layer 35 b extends to a region between the inner contact portion 35 a 2 and the outer contact portion 35 a 1. In a case that a plurality of inner contact portions 35 a 2 are disposed, a front end of the second pad metal layer 35 b may have a concave-convex shape as shown in the drawing. The first pad metal layer 35 a may be spaced apart from the second pad metal layer 35 b at regular intervals, and thus, the first pad metal layer 35 a adjacent to the front end of the second pad metal layer 35 b may also have a concave-convex shape.

Since the front end of the second pad metal layer 35 b extends to near the inner contact portions 35 a 2, it is possible to easily separate the second openings 33 b of the lower insulation layer 33 from the second bump pad 39 b in the lateral direction.

An upper insulation layer 37 may cover the lower insulation layer 33, and an edge of the upper insulation layer 37 may be formed to be flush with the edges of the substrate 21 and the lower insulation layer 33. Although the first and second bump pads 39 a and 39 b are illustrated and described as being disposed within the first and second openings 37 a and 37 b of the upper insulation layer 37 in the previous exemplary embodiment, the first and second bump pads 39 a and 39 b cover and seal first and second openings 37 a and 37 b of the upper insulation layer 37 in the exemplary embodiment. That is, edges of the first and second bump pads 39 a and 39 b are located on an upper surface of the upper insulation layer 37. As such, the first pad metal layer 35 a and the second pad metal layer 35 b may be prevented from being exposed between the upper insulation layer 37 and the bump pads 39 a and 39 b, and thus, direct diffusion into the first and second pad metal layers 35 a and 35 b may be prevented.

Locations of the edges of the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23, the lower insulation layer 33, the upper insulation layer 37, and the bump pads 39 a and 39 b in the exemplary embodiment, are different from those in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, but the drawing herein is for illustrating an exemplary embodiment that can be modified with respect to the embodiment of FIG. 1 without being limited thereto. That is, the locations of the edges of the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23, the lower insulation layer 33, and the upper insulation layer 37 in the exemplary embodiment may be the same as those of the embodiment of FIG. 1, and the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 1 may be modified as that in this exemplary embodiment.

The location of the openings 29 a of a dielectric layer 29 in the exemplary embodiment are adjusted to enhance resistance to electrical overstress or electrostatic discharge. Although the reflective structure with the conductive oxide layer 28, the dielectric layer 29 and the metal reflection layer 31 improve the reflectance, the conductive oxide layer 28 and the metal reflection layer 31 need to be electrically connected. The openings 29 a in the dielectric layer 29 provide a passage through which the metal reflection layer 31 electrically connects to the conductive oxide layer 28. In addition, a plurality of openings 29 a are widely distributed on the conductive oxide layer 28 so as to evenly distribute current over a wide region of the conductive oxide layer 28. However, a distance between the outer contact portion 35 a 1 and the inner contact portion 35 a 2 and the openings 29 a which are in contact with the first pad metal layer 35 a may affect characteristics of the light emitting diode against electrical overstress or electrostatic discharge.

As a countermeasure against this, the illustrated exemplary embodiment as shown in FIG. 5 is characterized in that, among the openings 29 a of the dielectric layer 29 disposed under the first opening 37 a of the upper insulation layer 37 (or under the first bump pad 39 a), the openings 29 a located closest to the inner contact portion 35 a 2 are relatively spaced apart therefrom.

More particularly, a shortest distance Dv1 (FIG. 5) between the outer contact portion 35 a 1 and the opening 29 a located under the first opening 37 a of the upper insulation layer 37 is greater than a shortest distance Ds between the outer contact portion 35 a 1 and the openings 29 a located outside the first openings 37 a of the upper insulation layer 37. Although the distance between the outer contact portion 35 a 1 and the opening 29 a is indicated in the drawing, the same description applies to a distance between the inner contact portion 35 a 2 and the opening 29 a.

The distance between the opening 29 a of the dielectric layer 29 located under the first bump pad 39 a electrically connected to the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23 and the contact portions 35 a 1 and 35 a 2 is greatly affected by electrical overstress and electrostatic discharge. Accordingly, the reliability of the light emitting diode may be improved by separating the openings 29 a of the dielectric layer 29 located under the first bump pad 39 a far away from the contact portions 35 a 1 and 35 a 2.

The openings 29 a under the second bump pad 39 b and those in other locations as well as the openings 29 a under the first bump pad 39 a may also be separated from the contact portions 35 a 1 and 35 a 2, but luminous efficiency may be lowered because current may not be widely distributed in this case. Therefore, the electrostatic discharge characteristics may be improved in the illustrated exemplary embodiment by arranging only the openings 29 a located under the first bump pad 39 a relatively far from other openings without deteriorating the current spreading performance.

FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view illustrating a light emitting diode according to another exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 7, the light emitting diode according to the exemplary embodiment is substantially similar to the light emitting diode described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, but openings of a dielectric layer 29 include elongated opening 29 b along with a plurality of openings 29 a in the exemplary embodiment.

When the opening 29 b is located between an outer contact portion 35 a 1 and an inner contact portion 35 a 2 and the openings 29 a, the opening 29 b forms a closed loop along the outer contact portion 35 a 1 and the inner contact portion 35 a 2. Since the openings 29 b adjacent to the outer contact portion 35 a 1 and the inner contact portion 35 a 2 are lengthily adjacent to the contact portions 35 a 1 and 35 a 2, it is possible to prevent a large difference in voltage from occurring at a specific point, and thus a light emitting diode having a strong resistance to electrical overstress or electrostatic discharge may be provided.

Although the opening 29 b in the illustrated exemplary embodiment is shown and described as forming the closed loop, the openings 29 b that has a shape having a length larger than a width may be arranged along the contact portions 35 a 1 and 35 a 2.

In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, it is described that the opening 29 b is not limitedly disposed under a first bump pad 39 a but also extends to the outside of the first bump pad 39 a. In other embodiments, the opening 29 b may be limitedly disposed under the first bump pad 39 a.

FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view illustrating a light emitting diode according to another exemplary embodiment. Referring to FIG. 8, the light emitting diode according to the exemplary embodiment is substantially similar to the light emitting diode described with reference to FIG. 7, but openings of a dielectric layer 29 further include an opening 29 c in the exemplary embodiment. The opening 29 c may be disposed in a region surrounded by opening 29 b, and in particular, may be located outside of a lower region of a second bump pad 39 b. A portion of the opening 29 c may also be located under the first bump pad 39 b.

FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view illustrating a light emitting diode according to another exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 9, the light emitting diode according to the exemplary embodiment is substantially similar to the light emitting diode described with reference to FIG. 5, but a mesa M has an elongated shape in one direction, outer contact portions 35 a 1 are formed near an edge of the mesa without inner contact portions 35 a 2, and a first pad metal layer 35 a is formed not to surround a second pad metal layer 35 b.

The mesa M has an elongated shape in one direction, and for example, a length thereof may be more than four times longer and less than seven times longer than a width thereof. When the mesa M is formed to have an elongated shape in one direction, a region where the first pad metal layer 35 a contacts a first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23 may be relatively reduced, thereby securing the light emitting area.

In some embodiments, one edge of the mesa M may be formed to have recesses or protrusions.

A dielectric layer 29 covers a conductive oxide layer 28 and covers a side surface of the mesa M. A portion of the dielectric layer 29 partially covers the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23 exposed around the mesa M as described with reference to FIG. 5. The dielectric layer 29 has a plurality of openings 29 a exposing the conductive oxide layer 28, and locations of the openings 29 a are adjusted to improve resistance to electrical overstress and electrostatic discharge. This will be described later.

A metal reflection layer 31 is disposed on the dielectric layer 29 and connects to the conductive oxide layer 28 through the openings 29 a of the dielectric layer 29.

In the exemplary embodiment, the conductive oxide layer 28 and the metal reflection layer 31 cover most of an upper surface of the mesa M. However, edges of the conductive oxide layer 28 and the metal reflection layer 31 are spaced apart from the edge of the mesa M, and in particular, spaced farther from one edge of the mesa M that is adjacent to the outer contact portions 35 a 1. In particular, since the edge of the conductive oxide layer 28 is spaced farther from the outer contact portions 35, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of device failure due to electrical overstress or electrostatic discharge.

A lower insulation layer 33 may cover the dielectric layer 29 and the metal reflection layer 31, and may cover a portion of the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23 exposed around the mesa M. The lower insulation layer 33 exposes the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23 in recess regions of the mesa M. Although the lower insulation layer 33 may cover the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23, it may be formed to expose a region near an edge of the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23 as shown in FIG. 5. The lower insulation layer 33 also has a second opening 33 b exposing the metal reflection layer 31.

The first pad metal layer 35 a in the illustrated exemplary embodiment is disposed over the mesa M except for a region where the outer contact portions 35 a 1 are formed. However, in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 5, the first pad metal layer 35 a covers not only the upper region of the mesa M but also the side surface of the mesa M and a portion of the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23 around the mesa M. An edge of the first pad metal layer 35 a may also be located on the mesa M in a region between the recesses of the mesa M.

The first pad metal layer 35 a may include a region that has a wide width toward one side of the mesa and a region that has a narrow width extending from thereof. The outer contact portions 35 a 1 are formed along one edge of the mesa M, and may be formed in the recesses formed at one edge of the mesa M. The outer contact portions 35 a 1 may be formed to have an elongated shape along the longitudinal direction of the mesa M. As illustrated in the drawing, the outer contact portions 35 a 1 may also be formed by the region having the wide width and the region having the narrow width of the first pad metal layer 35 a.

The first pad metal layer 35 a may have protrusions along one edge of the mesa M, and the protrusions may form the outer contact portions 35 a 1. A region between the protrusions among the edges of the first pad metal layer 35 a may be located on the mesa M, and may further be located on the conductive oxide layer 28.

The second pad metal layer 35 b may be disposed in the upper region of the mesa M. The second pad metal layer 35 b may extend along the region having the narrow width of the first pad metal layer 35 a. The second pad metal layer 35 b may be electrically connected to the metal reflection layer 31 through the second openings 33 b of the lower insulation layer 33. The second openings 33 b of the lower insulation layer 33 may be disposed under the second bump pad 39 b, but they may be spaced apart from the second bump pad 39 b in the lateral direction as illustrated in FIG. 9.

In the exemplary embodiment, the openings 29 a of the dielectric layer 29 are disposed apart from the edges of the mesas M, and in particular, disposed farther apart from the edge of the mesas M adjacent to the outer contact portions 35 a 1. In particular, among the openings 29 a located under a first bump pad 39 a, a distance Dv1 of a first set of the opening 29 a that is disposed closest to the outer contact portion 35 a 1 in the vertical direction is greater than a distance Ds of a second set of the opening 29 a that is disposed closest to the contact portion 35 a 1, as illustrated in FIG. 9. Further, the second set of the opening 29 a that is disposed closest to the contact portion 35 a 1 is disposed farther from the edge of the mesa M than the opening closest to the edge of the mesa M.

Locations of the openings 29 a disposed under the second bump pad 39 b as well as those of the openings 29 a disposed under the first bump pad 39 a may be adjusted, and locations of a third set of the openings 29 a disposed under the first bump pad 39 a and the second bump pad 39 b may also be adjusted. More particularly, as shown in FIG. 9, a separation distance Dv2 of the third set of the opening 29 a that is disposed apart from the outer contact portion 35 a 1 in the vertical direction may be greater than the separation distance Ds of the second set of the opening 29 a that is disposed closest to the contact portion 35 a 1. The openings 29 a disposed under the second bump pad 39 b may also be disposed in the same manner as illustrated in the drawing.

FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view illustrating a light emitting diode according to another exemplary embodiment. Referring to FIG. 10, the light emitting diode according to the exemplary embodiment is substantially similar to the light emitting diode described with reference to FIG. 9, but a dielectric layer 29 has openings 29 a and 129 a that have different sizes from each other in the exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10.

In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, relatively large openings 129 a are disposed closer to outer contact portions 35 a 1 than relatively small openings 29 a. In particular, the relatively large openings 129 a in a lower region of a first bump pad 39 a are disposed closer to the outer contact portion 35 a 1 than the relatively small openings 29 a. The relatively large openings 129 a may also be disposed closer to the outer contact portions 35 a 1 than the relatively small openings 29 a in a lower region of the second bump pad 39 b and other regions.

The relatively large openings 129 a may prevent current from being concentrated at a specific point, thereby improving resistance of the light emitting diode to electrical overstress or electrostatic discharge. The openings 129 a in the illustrated exemplary embodiment are shown as being circular, but their shapes may vary. In particular, the openings 129 a may have an elongated shape along the longitudinal direction of the mesa M, and for example, may have an ellipse shape or a bar shape.

FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view illustrating a light emitting diode according to another exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 11, the light emitting diode according to the exemplary embodiment is substantially similar to the light emitting diode described with reference to FIG. 10, but bar-shaped openings 129 b are adjacent to outer contact portions 35 a 1 in the exemplary embodiment.

The bar-shaped opening 129 b may be disposed under a first bump pad 39 a, and bar-shaped openings 129 b may further be disposed under a second bump pad 39 b and in other regions. The bar-shaped openings 129 b may be disposed flush with a first opening 33 a of a lower insulation layer 33 or the outer contact portions 35 a 1.

The opening 129 b is disposed between the outer contact portion 35 a 1 and openings 29 a to prevent current from being concentrated at a specific point, thereby improving the light emitting diode's resistance to electrical overstress or electrostatic discharge. End portions of the bar-shaped openings 129 b may be formed to have a relatively wide width to facilitate patterning.

FIG. 12 is a schematic plan view illustrating a light emitting diode according to another exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 12, the light emitting diode according to the exemplary embodiment is substantially similar to the light emitting diode described with reference to FIG. 11, but a single bar-shaped opening 129 c is formed continuously over outer contact portions 35 a 1. The bar-shaped opening 129 c is not necessarily a straight line. In particular, a portion of the opening 129 c disposed under a first bump pad 39 a may be disposed farther from the outer contact portion 35 a 1 than other portions.

FIG. 13 is a schematic plan view illustrating a light emitting diode according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C of FIG. 13.

Referring to FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, the light emitting diode according to the exemplary embodiment is substantially similar to those in the above-described embodiments, but a plurality of light emitting cells C1 and C2 are formed and t connected in series in the exemplary embodiment.

First and second light emitting cells C1 and C2 are disposed on the substrate 21. The first and second light emitting cells C1 and C2 are separated from each other by an isolation region I exposing the substrate 21 (see FIG. 14). As such, semiconductor layers of the first light emitting cell C1 and the second light emitting cell C2 are spaced apart from each other. Each of the first and second light emitting cells C1 and C2 are disposed to face each other and may have a square or rectangular shape, respectively. In particular, the first and second light emitting cells C1 and C2 may have elongated rectangular shapes in a direction facing each other.

The isolation region I separates the light emitting cells C1 and C2 from each other. As such, a surface of the substrate 21 is exposed in the isolation region I through semiconductor layers. The isolation region I is formed using photolithography and etching processes, a photoresist pattern having a gentle inclined surface is formed and the semiconductor layers are etched using the photoresist pattern as a mask, thereby forming relatively gently inclined side surfaces in the isolation region I.

The light emitting cells C1 and C2 face each other with the isolation region I interposed therebetween. Side surfaces of the light emitting cells C1 and C2 that face each other are defined as inner side surfaces, and side surfaces of the light emitting cells other than the inner side surfaces are defined as outer side surfaces. Therefore, the first conductivity type semiconductor layers 23 in the first and second light emitting cells C1 and C2 also include inner and outer side surfaces, respectively. For example, the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23 may include one inner side surface and three outer side surfaces.

A mesa M is disposed on each of first conductivity type semiconductor layers 23. The mesa M may be located within a region surrounded by the side surfaces of the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23, and thus, regions near edges adjacent to the outer side surfaces of the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23 are not covered by the mesa M, but are exposed to the outside. In another exemplary embodiment, a side surface of the mesa M and a side surface of the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23 on a sidewall of the isolation region I may be continuous with each other.

Each mesa M includes a second conductivity type semiconductor layer 27 and an active layer 25. The active layer 25 is interposed between the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23 and the second conductivity type semiconductor layer 27. Each mesa M has recesses, first openings 33 a of a lower insulation layer 33 are formed in the recesses, which will be described later, and outer contact portions 35 a 1 are formed through the first openings 33 a.

A conductive oxide layer 28 is disposed on each mesa M, and a dielectric layer 29 covers the conductive oxide layer 28 and the mesa M on each of the light emitting cells C1 and C2. The conductive oxide layer 28 is in ohmic contact with the second conductivity type semiconductor layer 27. The conductive oxide layer 28 may be disposed over almost an entire region of the mesa M in an upper region of the mesa M. However, the conductive oxide layer 28 may be spaced apart from an edge of the mesa M.

The dielectric layer 29 may cover the upper region and side surfaces of the mesa M, and may cover the first conductivity type semiconductor layer exposed around the mesa M. The dielectric layer 29 also has openings 29 a and 129 b, and the bar-shaped openings 129 b are disposed between the outer contact portions 35 a 1 and the openings 29 a. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the bar-shaped openings 129 b are illustrated and described as an example, but in addition to the bar shape, circular, elliptical or other shape openings having a larger size than that of the openings 29 a may be disposed, and a single line-shaped opening that continuously stretches out longitudinally may be disposed on each mesa M, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14.

A metal reflection layer 31 is disposed on the dielectric layer 29 and connects to the conductive oxide layer 28 through the openings 29 a and 129 b of the dielectric layer 29. The metal reflection layer 31 is disposed in the upper region of the mesa M of each of the light emitting cells C1 and C2.

The lower insulation layer 33 covers the mesas M and covers the metal reflection layer 31 and the dielectric layer 29. The lower insulation layer 33 also covers the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23 and the substrate 21 exposed to the outside of the dielectric layer 29. In a case that the substrate 21 is a patterned sapphire substrate, the lower insulation layer 33 may be formed along shapes of protrusions on the substrate 21.

The lower insulation layer 33 includes the first openings 33 a exposing the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23 in the recesses of each mesa M, and further includes second openings 33 b 1 exposing the metal reflection layer 31 on the second light emitting cell C2 and a third opening 33 b 2 exposing the metal reflection layer 31 on the first light emitting cell C1. The first openings 33 a expose the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23 along outer surfaces of the mesa M, and the third opening 33 b 2 exposes the metal reflection layer 31 on the first light emitting cell C1 near the isolation region I. The third openings 33 b 2 may generally have an elongated shape along the isolation region I, but they are not necessarily limited thereto, and may have various shapes.

The second openings 33 b 1 may be located on the second light emitting cell C2, and may be located in a lower region of a second bump pad 39 b. However, in another exemplary embodiment, the second openings 33 b 1 may be disposed to be apart from the second bump pad 39 b on the second light emitting cell C2 in the lateral direction. In FIG. 14, the lateral direction corresponds to a vertical direction.

A first pad metal layer 35 a, a second pad metal layer 35 b and a connection metal layer 35 c are disposed on the lower insulation layer 33.

The first pad metal layer 35 a is disposed on the first light emitting cell C1, and is in ohmic contact with the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23 exposed around the mesa M. As shown in FIG. 13, the first pad metal layer 35 a may be in ohmic contact with the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23 through the first opening 33 a of the lower insulation layer 33 along a periphery of the mesa M to form the outer contact portions 35 a 1. In the drawing, the first pad metal layer 35 a intermittently contacts the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23 in the recesses of the mesa M along the periphery of the mesa M, but is not limited thereto, and may remain contacting the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23. More particularly, the lower insulation layer 33 may be formed to have the first opening 33 a that causes the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23 to be exposed along the periphery of the mesa M, and the first pad metal layer 35 a may maintain contact with the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23 through the first opening 33 a of the lower insulation layer 33.

The bar-shaped openings 129 b of the dielectric layer 29 may be flush with the first openings 33 a of the lower insulation layer 33, and thus, may be flush with the outer contact portions 35 a 1.

The second pad metal layer 35 b is disposed on the second light emitting cell C2 and is connected to the metal reflection layer 31 on the second light emitting cell C2 through the second opening 33 b 1 of the lower insulation layer 33. The second pad metal layer 35 b is disposed on the mesa M, and is insulated from the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23. For example, the second pad metal layer 35 b may be separated from side surfaces of the mesa M on the second light emitting cell C2.

The connection metal layer 35 c may be electrically connected to the metal reflection layer 31 on the first light emitting cell C1 through the third opening 33 b 2 of the lower insulation layer 33, and may be electrically connected to the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23 of the second light emitting cell C2 through the first openings 33 a of the second light emitting cell C2. Accordingly, the first and second light emitting cells C1 and C2 are connected to each other in series through the connection metal layer 35 c.

The connection metal layer 35 c may contact the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23 in the recesses of the mesa M along the edge of the second light emitting cell C2 to form the outer contact portions 35 a 1. In particular, the connection metal layer 35 c may contact the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23 continuously or intermittently along the periphery of the mesa M. In addition, the connection metal layer 35 c may surround the second pad metal layer 35 b, and a boundary region 35 bc may be formed between the connection metal layer 35 c and the second pad metal layer 35 b. Meanwhile, a boundary region 35 ac may be formed between the connection metal layer 35 c and the first pad metal layer 35 a. The boundary regions 35 ac and 35 bc are covered with an upper insulation layer 37 which will be described later.

The first and second pad metal layers 35 a and 35 b and the connection metal layer 35 c may be formed in the same process and may include substantially the same material. For example, the first and second pad metal layers 35 a and 35 b and the connection metal layer 35 c may include an ohmic reflection layer such as an Al layer, and the ohmic reflection layer may be formed on an adhesive layer such as Ti, Cr, or Ni. Furthermore, a protective layer of a single layer or a multiple layer structure such as Ni, Cr, Au, or the like may be formed on the ohmic reflection layer. The first and second pad metal layers 35 a and 35 b and the connection metal layer 35 c may have multilayer structures of Cr/Al/Ni/Ti/Ni/Ti/Au/Ti, for example.

The upper insulation layer 37 is disposed on the first pad metal layer 35 a, the second pad metal layer 35 b, and the connection metal layer 35 c, and has a first opening 37 a exposing the first pad metal layer 35 a and a second opening 37 b exposing the second pad metal layer 35 b. The upper insulation layer 37 also covers the first pad metal layer 35 a and the connection metal layer 35 c connected to the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23 in the periphery of the mesa M. As shown in FIG. 13, a region between the first pad metal layer and the second connection metal layer 35 c and an edge of the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23 is covered with the upper insulation layer 37. In addition, the upper insulation layer 37 may cover the connection metal layer 35 c on the isolation region I, and may be formed to have irregularities according to a shape of the connection metal layer 35 c. The upper insulation layer 37 protects the first and second pad metal layers 35 a and 35 b and the connection metal layer 35 c from external environments such as moisture.

The first opening 37 a is formed within an upper region of the first pad metal layer 35 a, and thus is separated from the connection metal layer 35 c and the third opening 33 b 2 of the lower insulation layer 33. The second opening 37 b is also disposed limitedly on the second pad metal layer 35 b, and is separated from the connection metal layer 35 c.

In the exemplary embodiment, the first and second pad metal layers 35 a and 35 b exposed through the first and second openings 37 a and 37 b of the upper insulation layer 37 may serve as bonding pads to which the solder is directly bonded. Alternatively, as described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the first and second bump pads 39 a and 39 b may cover the first and second pad metal layers 35 a and 35 b exposed through the first and second openings 37 a and 37 b of the upper insulation layer 37, respectively. The first and second bump pads 39 a and 39 b may be formed in the first and second openings 37 a and 37 b of the upper insulation layer 37, but the inventive concepts are not limited thereto, and the first and second bump pads 39 a and 39 b may cover and seal the first and second openings 37 a and 37 b.

FIG. 15 is a schematic plan view illustrating a light emitting diode according to another exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 15, the light emitting diode according to the exemplary embodiment includes six light emitting cells C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, and C6, and the light emitting cells are connected in series. Each of the light emitting cells C1 C2, C3, C4, C5, and C6 includes a first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23 and a mesa M as described with reference to FIG. 13, and is separated from one another by an isolation region.

Each mesa M has a via hole 30 a exposing the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23, and a lower insulation layer 33 has a first opening 33 a exposing the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23 in each via hole 30 a. In addition, the lower insulation layer 33 has a second opening 33 b exposing a metal reflection layer 31 on each light emitting cell.

A first pad metal layer 35 a is disposed on the first light emitting cell C1 and forms inner contact portions 35 a 2 in the via holes 30 a in the first light emitting cell C1. A second pad metal layer 35 b is disposed on the last light emitting cell, that is, the sixth light emitting cell C6, and is connected to the metal reflection layer 31 through the second opening 33 b. Connection metal layers 35 c connect adjacent light emitting cells in series. The connection metal layers 35 c electrically connect the metal reflection layer 31 of the adjacent light emitting cells and the first conductivity type semiconductor layer 23. The inner contact portions 35 a 2 are formed in the via holes 30 a of the second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth light emitting cells C2, C2, C3, C4, C5, and C6 by the connection metal layers 35 c.

In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the inner contact portions 35 a 2 are formed instead of outer contact portions 35 a 1, but the outer contact portions 35 a 1 may be formed.

In the exemplary embodiment, the dielectric layer 29 includes openings 229 b together with openings 29 a. The openings 29 a are widely distributed on each mesa M. The openings 229 b surround the inner contact portions 35 a 2 on each mesa M. The opening 229 b is disposed between the inner contact portion 35 a 2 and the openings 29 a. More particularly, the opening 229 b is disposed closer to the inner contact portion 35 a 2 than the openings 29 a. As such, it is possible to prevent device failure due to electrical overstress or electrostatic discharge from occurring in the opening adjacent to the inner contact portion 35 a 2.

A first bump pad 39 a is disposed on the first light emitting cell C1 and a second bump pad 39 b is disposed on the sixth light emitting cell C6. The first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth light emitting cells C1, C2, C2, C3, C4, C5, and C6 are connected in series between the first bump pad 39 a and the second bump pad 39 b.

In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, although the opening 229 b is illustrated as having a ring shape surrounding the via hole 30 a, the inventive concepts are not limited thereto. For example, the opening 229 b may be formed in a portion of the outer periphery of the via hole 30 a. However, the opening 229 b may have a longer shape than the opening 29 a. In another exemplary embodiment, openings 329 b as shown in FIG. 16 may be formed by connecting the openings of the dielectric layer 29 surrounding the via holes 30 a on each mesa M.

An Exemplary Experiment of Electrostatic Discharge

Electrostatic discharge characteristics of the light emitting diode (Comparative Example) in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 9 in which the openings 29 a are disposed adjacent to the external contacts 35 a 1 and those of the light emitting diodes (Examples 1, 2, 3, and 4) in the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 9 through 12 are compared.

Sixteen (16) samples were prepared for each light emitting diode, and voltages from 1 kV to 6 kV were applied three times at 0.3 second intervals to determine whether device defects occurred. The voltage was increased in an increment of 1 kV from 1 kV to 4 kV, and increased in an increment of 0.5 kV from 4 kV to 6 kV.

As for the light emitting diodes of the Comparative Example, all of the light emitting diodes were defective due to electrostatic discharge at 4 kV, and, as for the light emitting diodes of Inventive Example 1 of FIG. 9, two device defects occurred at 4 kV and 14 device defects occurred at 4.5 kV.

As for the light emitting diodes of Inventive Example 2 of FIG. 10, two device defects occurred at 4.5 kV and 14 device defects occurred at 5 kV, and, as for the light emitting diodes of Inventive Example 3 of FIG. 6, one device defect occurred at 4.5 kV, six device defects occurred at 5 kV, and six device defects occurred at 5.5 kV.

As for the light emitting diodes of Inventive Example 4 of FIG. 12, one device defect occurred at 4.5 kV, seven device defects occurred at 5 kV, and eight device defects occurred at 5.5 kV.

The above experimental results are shown in Table 1 below.

TABLE 1 Number of Device Failure(Total 16 ea) Applied voltage(kV) 1 2 3 4 4.5 5 5.5 6 Comparative — — — 16  example Inventive — — — 2 14 example 1 Inventive — — — 2 14 example 2 Inventive — — — —  1 6 6 3 example 3 Inventive — — — 1 — — 7 8 example 4

Referring to Table 1, it can be seen that the light emitting diodes of Examples 1, 2, 3, and 4 have stronger resistance to electrostatic discharge than that of Comparative Example, and in particular, the light emitting diode of Example 4 (FIG. 12) having an elongated bar-shaped opening has the strongest resistance to electrostatic discharge.

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a lighting apparatus to which a light emitting diode according to an exemplary embodiment is applied. Referring to FIG. 17, the lighting apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment includes a diffusive cover 1010, a light emitting diode module 1020, and a body 1030. The body 1030 may receive the light emitting diode module 1020 and the diffusive cover 1010 may be disposed on the body 1030 to cover an upper surface of the light emitting diode module 1020.

The body 1030 may have any shape so long as the body can supply electric power to the light emitting diode module 1020 while receiving and supporting the light emitting diode module 1020. For example, as shown in the drawing, the body 1030 may include a body case 1031, a power supply 1033, a power supply case 1035, and a power source connection 1037.

The power supply 1033 is received in the power supply case 1035 to be electrically connected to the light emitting diode module 1020, and may include at least one IC chip. The IC chip may regulate, change or control electric power supplied to the light emitting diode module 1020. The power supply case 1035 may receive and support the power supply 1033, and the power supply case 1035 having the power supply 1033 secured therein may be disposed within the body case 1031. The power source connection 1037 is disposed at a lower end of the power supply case 1035 and is coupled thereto. Accordingly, the power source connection 1037 is electrically connected to the power supply 1033 within the power supply case 1035 and can serve as a passage through which power can be supplied from an external power source to the power supply 1033.

The light emitting diode module 1020 includes a substrate 1023 and a light emitting diode 1021 disposed on the substrate 1023. The light emitting diode module 1020 may be disposed at an upper portion of the body case 1031 and electrically connected to the power supply 1033.

As the substrate 1023, any substrate capable of supporting the light emitting diode 1021 may be used without limitation. For example, the substrate 1023 may include a printed circuit board having interconnects formed thereon. The substrate 1023 may have a shape corresponding to a securing portion formed at the upper portion of the body case 1031 so as to be stably secured to the body case 1031. The light emitting diode 1021 may include at least one of the light emitting diodes according to the exemplary embodiments described above.

The diffusive cover 1010 is disposed on the light emitting diode 1021 and may be secured to the body case 1031 to cover the light emitting diode 1021. The diffusive cover 1010 may include a light transmitting material and light orientation of the lighting apparatus may be adjusted through regulation of the shape and optical transmissivity of the diffusive cover 1010. Thus, the diffusive cover 1010 may be modified to have various shapes depending on usage and applications of the lighting apparatus.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display apparatus to which a light emitting diode according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is applied. The display apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment includes a display panel 2110, a backlight unit supplying light to the display panel 2110, and a panel guide supporting a lower edge of the display panel 2110.

The display panel 2110 is not particularly limited and may be, for example, a liquid crystal panel including a liquid crystal layer. Gate driving PCBs may be further disposed at the periphery of the display panel 2110 to supply driving signals to a gate line. Here, the gate driving PCBs may be formed on a thin film transistor substrate instead of being formed on separate PCBs.

The backlight unit includes a light source module which includes at least one substrate and a plurality of light emitting diodes 2160. The backlight unit may further include a bottom cover 2180, a reflective sheet 2170, a diffusive plate 2131, and optical sheets 2130.

The bottom cover 2180 may be open at an upper surface thereof to receive the substrate, the light emitting diodes 2160, the reflective sheet 2170, the diffusive plate 2131, and the optical sheets 2130. In addition, the bottom cover 2180 may be coupled to the panel guide. The substrate may be disposed under the reflective sheet 2170 to be surrounded by the reflective sheet 2170. Alternatively, when a reflective material is coated on a surface thereof, the substrate may be disposed on the reflective sheet 2170. Further, a plurality of substrates may be arranged flush with one another, without being limited thereto. However, it should be understood that the backlight unit includes a single substrate.

The light emitting diodes 2160 may include at least one of the light emitting diodes according to the exemplary embodiments described above. The light emitting diodes 2160 may be regularly arranged in a predetermined pattern on the substrate. In addition, a lens 2210 may be disposed on each of the light emitting diodes 2160 to improve uniformity of light emitted from the plurality of light emitting diodes 2160.

The diffusive plate 2131 and the optical sheets 2130 are disposed above the light emitting diode 2160. Light emitted from the light emitting diodes 2160 may be supplied in the form of sheet light to the display panel 2110 through the diffusive plate 2131 and the optical sheets 2130.

In this way, the light emitting diodes according to the exemplary embodiments may be applied to direct type displays like the display apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display apparatus to which a light emitting diode according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is applied.

The display apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment includes a display panel 3210 on which an image is displayed, and a backlight unit disposed at a rear side of the display panel 3210 and emitting light thereto. Further, the display apparatus includes a frame 3240 supporting the display panel 3210 and receiving the backlight unit, and covers 3270, 3280 surrounding the display panel 3210.

The display panel 3210 is not particularly limited and may be, for example, a liquid crystal panel including a liquid crystal layer. A gate driving PCB may be further disposed at the periphery of the display panel 3210 to supply driving signals to a gate line. Here, the gate driving PCB may be formed on a thin film transistor substrate instead of being formed on a separate PCB. The display panel 3210 is secured by the covers 3270, 3280 disposed at upper and lower sides thereof, and the cover 3280 disposed at the lower side of the display panel 3210 may be coupled to the backlight unit.

The backlight unit supplying light to the display panel 3210 includes a lower cover 3270 partially open at an upper surface thereof, a light source module disposed at one side inside the lower cover 3270, and a light guide plate 3250 disposed flush with the light source module and converting spot light into sheet light. In addition, the backlight unit according to the exemplary embodiment may further include optical sheets 3230 disposed on the light guide plate 3250 to spread and collect light, and a reflective sheet 3260 disposed at a lower side of the light guide plate 3250 and reflecting light traveling in a downward direction of the light guide plate 3250 towards the display panel 3210.

The light source module includes a substrate 3220 and a plurality of light emitting diodes 3110 arranged at constant intervals on one surface of the substrate 3220. As the substrate 3220, any substrate capable of supporting the light emitting diodes 3110 and being electrically connected thereto may be used without limitation. For example, the substrate 3220 may include a printed circuit board. The light emitting diodes 3110 may include at least one of the light emitting diodes according to the exemplary embodiments described above. Light emitted from the light source module enters the light guide plate 3250 and is supplied to the display panel 3210 through the optical sheets 3230. The light guide plate 3250 and the optical sheets 3230 convert spot light emitted from the light emitting diodes 3110 into sheet light.

In this way, the light emitting diodes according to the exemplary embodiments may be applied to edge type displays like the display apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a head light to which a light emitting diode according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is applied.

Referring to FIG. 20, the headlight according to the exemplary embodiment includes a lamp body 4070, a substrate 4020, a light emitting diode 4010, and a cover lens 4050. The headlight may further include a heat dissipation unit 4030, a support rack 4060, and a connection member 4040.

The substrate 4020 is secured by the support rack 4060 and is disposed above the lamp body 4070. As the substrate 4020, any member capable of supporting the light emitting diode 4010 may be used without limitation. For example, the substrate 4020 may include a substrate having a conductive pattern, such as a printed circuit board. The light emitting diode 4010 is disposed on the substrate 4020 and may be supported and secured by the substrate 4020. In addition, the light emitting diode 4010 may be electrically connected to an external power source through the conductive pattern of the substrate 4020. Further, the light emitting diode 4010 may include at least one of the light emitting diodes according to the exemplary embodiments described above.

The cover lens 4050 is disposed on a path of light emitted from the light emitting diode 4010. For example, as shown in the drawing, the cover lens 4050 may be separated from the light emitting diode 4010 by the connection member 4040 and may be disposed in a direction of supplying light emitted from the light emitting diode 4010. By the cover lens 4050, an orientation angle and/or a color of light emitted by the headlight can be adjusted. On the other hand, the connection member 4040 is disposed to secure the cover lens 4050 to the substrate 4020 while surrounding the light emitting diode 4010, and thus can act as a light guide that provides a luminous path 4045. The connection member 4040 may include a light reflective material or coated therewith. On the other hand, the heat dissipation unit 4030 may include heat dissipation fins 4031 and/or a heat dissipation fan 4033 to dissipate heat generated upon operation of the light emitting diode 4010.

In this way, the light emitting diodes according to the exemplary embodiments may be applied to headlights like the headlight according to the exemplary embodiment, particularly, vehicular headlights.

Although the various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications can be made. In addition, the elements described in one embodiment can be applied to other embodiments without departing from the technical spirit according to the appended claims of the present disclosure. 

1. A light emitting diode, comprising: a first conductivity type semiconductor layer; a mesa disposed on the first conductivity type semiconductor layer, and including an active layer and a second conductivity type semiconductor layer; a transparent conductive oxide layer disposed on the mesa and electrically connected to the second conductivity type semiconductor layer; a dielectric layer covering the conductive oxide layer, and including a plurality of openings exposing the conductive oxide layer; a metal reflection layer disposed on the dielectric layer, and connecting to the conductive oxide layer through the openings of the dielectric layer; a lower insulation layer covering the mesa and the metal reflection layer, and including at least one first opening exposing the first conductivity type semiconductor layer and a second opening exposing the metal reflection layer; a first pad metal layer disposed on the lower insulation layer, and electrically connected to the first conductivity type semiconductor layer through the at least one first opening; a second pad metal layer disposed on the lower insulation layer, and electrically connected to the metal reflection layer through the second opening; and an upper insulation layer covering the first pad metal layer and the second pad metal layer, and including a first opening exposing the first pad metal layer and a second opening exposing the second pad metal layer, wherein the openings of the dielectric layer include a narrow and elongated bar-shaped opening adjacent to at least one of the first openings of the lower insulation layer.
 2. The light emitting diode of claim 1, wherein the dielectric layer includes openings having other shapes in addition to the bar-shaped opening, and the bar-shaped opening is disposed between the first opening of the lower insulation layer corresponding to the bar-shaped opening and the openings having other shapes.
 3. The light emitting diode of claim 2, wherein the first opening of the lower insulation layer corresponding to the bar-shaped opening has an elongated shape in one direction, and the bar-shaped opening of the dielectric layer is disposed to be flush with the first opening of the lower insulation layer corresponding to the bar-shaped opening.
 4. The light emitting diode of claim 3, wherein the bar-shaped opening of the dielectric layer is longer than the first opening of the lower insulation layer corresponding to the bar-shaped opening.
 5. The light emitting diode of claim 1, wherein the lower insulation layer has a plurality of first openings exposing the first conductivity type semiconductor layer around the mesa, and the first pad metal layer has outer contact portions in contact with the first conductivity type semiconductor layer in the plurality of first openings.
 6. The light emitting diode of claim 5, the dielectric layer has a plurality of bar-shaped openings adjacent to the plurality of first openings, respectively.
 7. The light emitting diode of claim 5, wherein the bar-shaped openings in the dielectric layer are arranged lengthily over the outer contact portions.
 8. The light emitting diode of claim 1, further comprising: a first bump pad; and a second bump pad, wherein the first bump pad and the second bump pad are electrically connected to the first pad metal layer and the second pad metal layer through the first opening and the second opening of the upper insulation layer, respectively, and at least a portion of the bar-shaped opening is disposed under the first bump pad.
 9. The light emitting diode of claim 8, wherein a portion of the bar-shaped opening is disposed under the second bump pad.
 10. The light emitting diode of claim 1, further comprising: a substrate disposed on a side of the first conductivity type semiconductor layer, wherein the substrate is configured to transmit light generated in the active layer.
 11. The light emitting diode of claim 1, wherein the first pad metal layer has protrusions along one edge of the mesa, the first pad metal layer has outer contact portions in contact with the first conductivity type semiconductor layer near an edge of the mesa, the outer contact portions are formed by the protrusions, and a region between the protrusions of edges of the first pad metal layer is disposed on the conductive oxide layer.
 12. A light emitting diode, comprising: a first conductivity type semiconductor layer; a mesa disposed on the first conductivity type semiconductor layer, and including an active layer and a second conductivity type semiconductor layer; a transparent conductive oxide layer disposed on the mesa and electrically connected to the second conductivity type semiconductor layer; a dielectric layer covering the conductive oxide layer, and including a plurality of openings exposing the conductive oxide layer; a metal reflection layer disposed on the dielectric layer, and connecting to the conductive oxide layer through the openings of the dielectric layer; a lower insulation layer covering the mesa and the metal reflection layer, and including at least one first opening exposing the first conductivity type semiconductor layer and a second opening exposing the metal reflection layer; a first pad metal layer disposed on the lower insulation layer, and electrically connected to the first conductivity type semiconductor layer through the at least one first opening; a second pad metal layer disposed on the lower insulation layer, and electrically connected to the metal reflection layer through the second opening; and an upper insulation layer covering the first pad metal layer and the second pad metal layer, and including a first opening exposing the first pad metal layer and a second opening exposing the second pad metal layer, wherein the openings of the dielectric layer include openings that have different sizes from one another, and at least one of the openings in the dielectric layer adjacent to the first opening of the upper insulation layer has a width or a length greater than at least one another opening of the dielectric layer that is disposed farther from the first opening of the upper insulation layer. than the at least one of the openings in the dielectric layer adjacent to the first opening of the upper insulation layer.
 13. The light emitting diode of claim 12, wherein the opening of the dielectric layer having a greater width or length has a bar shape.
 14. The light emitting diode of claim 12, further comprising: a first bump pad; and a second bump pad, wherein the first bump pad and the second bump pad are electrically connected to the first pad metal layer and the second pad metal layer through the first opening and the second opening of the upper insulation layer, respectively, and at least a portion of the opening of the dielectric layer having a greater width or length is disposed under the first bump pad.
 15. The light emitting diode of claim 14, wherein at least one of the openings of the dielectric layer having a greater width or length extends from a bottom of the first bump pad to a bottom of the second bump pad.
 16. The light emitting diode of claim 12, wherein the mesa has a via hole that exposes the first conductivity type semiconductor layer, the first openings of the lower insulation layer include an opening that exposes the first conductivity type semiconductor layer in the via hole, the first pad metal layer includes an inner contact portion that contacts the first conductivity type semiconductor layer in the via hole, and the opening of the dielectric layer having a greater width or length is disposed adjacent to the via hole.
 17. The light emitting diode of claim 16, wherein the opening of the dielectric layer disposed adjacent to the via hole surrounds the via hole.
 18. The light emitting diode of claim 12, wherein the first pad metal layer includes outer contact portions that contact the first conductivity type semiconductor layer at the outside of the mesa, the outer contact portions are spaced apart from one another, and the openings of the dielectric layer having a greater width or length are disposed adjacent to the outer contact portions, respectively.
 19. The light emitting diode of claim 12, wherein the dielectric layer has a lower refractive index than those of the second conductivity type semiconductor layer and the conductive oxide layer, and has a thickness in a range of about 300 nm to about 800 nm.
 20. The light emitting diode of claim 19, wherein the conductive oxide layer has a thickness in a range of about 3 nm to about 50 nm.
 21. The light emitting diode of claim 12, further comprising: a substrate disposed on a side of the first conductivity type semiconductor layer, wherein the substrate is configured to transmit light generated in the active layer. 